Uzbekistan hinders Afghan dry fruit exports

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (PAN): Uzbekistan has obstructed the export of 2,000 tonnes of dry fruit from Afghanistan to Russia through the Hairatan port, an official said on Monday.

The dry fruit, belonging to Afghan businessmen from southern and northern parts of the country, was to be sent to Russia via Uzbekistan, the official in Balkh said.

Ahmad Shah, who runs a private transport company, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Uzbek authorities had kept stranded for the last four days a train loaded with the fruit. They want the delivery through cargo ships.

Afghan businessmen would have to pay more charges if their products were dispatched through cargo ships or trucks, Shah said, blaming Uzbekistan for trying to create earning opportunities for its citizens at the expense of Afghans.

Munir Farhad, spokesman for the Balkh governor, confirmed the problem. He said they had discussed the issue at a meeting in Mazar-i-Sharif. The Chamber and Commerce and Industries chief was tasked with tracking the issue and reporting to the governor’s house immediately.